Sabriel

Author: Nix, Garth
Garth Nix's Sabriel is marketed to the young adult audience but easily appeals to a wider readership. Fantastic world-building paints both the realm of Ancelstierre, and The Old Kingdom, where 'Free magic' reigns. Separated by the wall, its elementals, undead, and sorcerers are unknown to the general population. Sabriel lives in a boarding school in Ancelstierre, widely unaware of magic until a creature appears in her dorm room. In its arms is a message from her father and his bells, one of the few tools that can banish the dead. With a powerful sorceress rising across the wall, she must head back to her father in the Old Kingdom to begin her Abhorsen training. With a simple and incredible unique magic system, memorable characters, and a vibrant world, Sabriel is very hard to dislike. It's a simple coming of age story, a fight between good and evil, and great fun all the way through.

Books in Abhorsen Series (4)

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The Chronicles of Narnia

A classic series kids around the world have grown up reading is The Chronicles of Narnia. While Narnia is very clearly a Christian allegory, it can be enjoyed without reading too deep into the Christian subtext. The writing is decent and it's a great magical adventure for both kids and adults.

Keys to the Kingdom

You should also read Garth Nix's newest series, Keys to the Kingdom, is also a great read, both for the kiddies and adults, one of the better series for kids.
 

Bartimaeus 

Don't forget to read Jonathan Stroud's very impressive The Bartimaeus Trilogy. It's an action-packed thrill ride about a magician's apprentice who manages to summon a powerful genie (Bartimaeus). Bartimaeus is less than pleased with this turn of events and tries to sabotage his young master at every opportunity. Hilariously funny, at times very dark, with great writing, a great cast of well-developed characters, and an interesting world, Bartimaeus is a must-read series (for both kids and adults).
 

His Dark Materials

You might want to take a gander at Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. It's uber famous and with good reason.
 

Leviathan

For a great steampunk fantasy for young adults/kids, read Scott Westerfield's Leviathan. I'm not usually into YA fantasy, but some of the concepts and the action present in the book had me hooked.

Accross the Nightingale Floor

You must read Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn. It's a fantasy tale set in a Japanese milieu. It's got all you want in an epic fantasy WITH the addition of samurai's, ninja's, and magic!

Harry Potter

And finally, Harry Potter. I won't bother explaining why. 

Booklists having this book

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Best Magic School Fantasy Books

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Top 100 Fantasy Books

This list continues directly from where  the Top 25 Best Fantasy List ends, starting from #26 and ending at #100 (yes, I know the list shows #1, but 1 = 26).Frankly, there are... Read more

Other books by Nix, Garth

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Sabriel

Garth Nix's Sabriel is marketed to the young adult audience but easily appeals to a wider readership. Fantastic world-building paints both the realm of Ancelstierre, and The Old Kingdom, where... Read more

Lirael

Who is Lirael? Lirael has never felt like a true daughter of the Clayr. Abandoned by her mother, ignorant of her father's identity, Lirael resembles no one else in her... Read more

Abhorsen

Sometimes the best – and most unique – new fantasy comes from the Young Adult section. Before Twilight reared it's sparkly head, Garth Nix created a world that explores our... Read more

Accross The Wall

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Clariel: The Lost Abhorsen

The long-awaited fourth book in the New York Times bestselling Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix Award-winning author Garth Nix returns to the Old Kingdom with a thrilling prequel complete... Read more

Abhorsen Trilogy

A dark epic fantasy tale about a girl who will go into the land of the dead to save her father. It's an exciting adventure that's also scary. Nix is... Read more

Mister Monday

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Grim Tuesday

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Drowned Wednesday

Drowned Wednesday has sent a ship to pick Arthur Penhaligon up from the hospital--even though his hometown is miles from any ocean. When he returns to the House, Arthur must... Read more

Sir Thursday

The stellar fourth book in Garth Nix's masterpiece series. The stellar fourth book in Garth Nix's masterpiece series... now in paperback!On the fourth day there was war... Following their adventures... Read more

Lady Friday

Young Arthur Penhaligon must weigh an offer from Lady Friday that is either a cunning trap for the Rightful Heir or a golden opportunity that he must seize. Read more

Superior Saturday

The penultimate book in Garth Nix's masterpiece series! The penultimate book in Garth Nix's masterpiece series!The secret of his own identity.The identity of The Architect.The complete Will of the House.The... Read more

Lord Sunday

As Arthur Penhaligon seeks to find the seventh key, complete his quest to save the Kingdom to which he is heir, and learn his true identity, he discovers that he... Read more

Keys To The Kingdom

Seven days. Seven keys. Seven virtues. Seven sins. One mysterious house is the doorway to a very mysterious world -- where one boy is about to venture and unlock a... Read more

Abhorsen Trilogy

If you like scary stories, Abhorsen Trilogy (now called 'The Old Kingdom' as Garth Nix is expanding the universe with more tie in books) is one of the best dark... Read more

Clariel

Award-winning author Garth Nix returns to the Old Kingdom with a thrilling prequel complete with dark magic, royalty, dangerous action, a strong heroine, and flawless world building. This epic fantasy... Read more

Goldenhand

The long-awaited fifth installment in Garth Nix’s New York Times bestselling Old Kingdom series, for readers who enjoy series by Rae Carson, Kristin Cashore, Scott Westerfeld, and Cassandra Clare. Goldenhand... Read more

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